> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chatsyncs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Audio Messages

> How to send an audio message or voice note on the WhatsApp Cloud API, including supported formats and size limits.

An audio message sends a playable audio clip to a recipient. OGG files encoded with the Opus
codec render as a native WhatsApp voice note with a waveform. Other formats render as a
playable audio file. Audio messages have no caption field. Provide the file via URL or media
ID — see [Media by URL vs Media ID](/meta-api/concepts/media-by-url-vs-media-id).

## Send by URL

```json theme={null}
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "919959623255",
  "type": "audio",
  "audio": {
    "link": "https://example.com/voice-note.ogg"
  }
}
```

## Send by Media ID

```json theme={null}
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "919959623255",
  "type": "audio",
  "audio": {
    "id": "1234567890"
  }
}
```

## Supported formats

| Format     | MIME type                | Max size |
| ---------- | ------------------------ | -------- |
| AAC        | `audio/aac`              | 16 MB    |
| MP4 audio  | `audio/mp4`              | 16 MB    |
| MPEG       | `audio/mpeg`             | 16 MB    |
| AMR        | `audio/amr`              | 16 MB    |
| OGG (Opus) | `audio/ogg; codecs=opus` | 16 MB    |

OGG with Opus codec renders as a WhatsApp voice note with waveform. All other formats render
as a generic audio player. Audio messages do **not** support a `caption` field.

## Frequently asked

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I send a voice note on WhatsApp API?">
    Set `type` to `"audio"` and use `audio.link` (URL) or `audio.id` (media ID). For a native
    voice note with waveform, use OGG format with Opus codec.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What audio formats does WhatsApp support?">
    AAC, MP4 audio, MPEG, AMR, and OGG (Opus). All under 16 MB.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I add a caption to an audio message?">
    No. Audio messages have no caption field. Send a text message before or after if you need
    to add context.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Gotchas & common mistakes

<Warning>
  * **No caption** — unlike image/video/document, audio has no `caption` field.
  * **OGG without Opus** — plain OGG without Opus codec will not show a voice note waveform.
    Ensure the codec is Opus when encoding.
  * **Over 16 MB** — compress or trim the audio before sending.
</Warning>